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Reply to Alla on View the commented comment

Alla, I will start by telling my favorite Christmas story.

Twenty-six years ago, on a cold and snowy Christmas Sunday Morning, after several months waiting for a heart transplant that never came, my father died in a Pittsburgh hospital. I sadly put my arm around my heartbroken mother. We walked through blowing snow to my car for the 6-hour drive back to Philadelphia where she lived. Very difficult days, heavy hearts and many tears. She losing her life-long partner and hero; for me, losing the greatest father who ever lived.

One year later, I am driving my wife to the hospital in Philadelphia. Exactly one year following the death of my father, my only son is born. He was born at 6:05pm, 6lbs.10oz. The doctor delivers him and hands him to me. I hold him in my hands for the first time, overcome with so many emotions. All I can do is look at him. Finally the nurse takes him and wraps him in a blanket and places him by my wife. Not many times am I speechless, but on this night I am stunned.

We named him Karl-Douglas. We celebrated his 25th year this Christmas. I never forget that I brought him home on Christmas Eve. He became the biggest joy of my life, but also a reminder that that when something precious is taken, God can replace with something else just as wonderful.

It is not necessary to be religious to believe in joy, love, goodness, and amazing, wonderful things. Believers just believe we understand where these things come from. And I pray for these blessings in the lives of you, my friends, here on the forum and this site. May God bless you all.

25.12.13

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